Usb Devices stopping windows from booting

[Andyuk2007]

Hey all, I had this really weird problem today at one of my call outs and i wanted to share it with you in the hope of a solution.

A woman's computer wouldnt boot into windows xp so i did the usual boot repair options, then i decided to unplug all her usb devices and plug my ps2 keyboard in and the computer booted into windows with no problems.

I wanted to see why that was so i plugged her usb mouse back in and rebooted, windows failed to post or anything, i did clear the cmos but this still didnt fix the problem. So i tried my ps2 mouse and keyboard again and it worked every time that was plugged in.

Has anyone ever come accross this issue and how did you resolve it ?

[Simmy]

Just to clarify - it fails to boot with just the USB mouse or with any USB device? Have you tried all the USB ports? Have you tried a different USB mouse/keyboard?

It's strange problem and not one I've come across. Could just be a dodgy USB device?

[Andyuk2007]

Originally Posted by Simmy

Just to clarify - it fails to boot with just the USB mouse or with any USB device? Have you tried all the USB ports? Have you tried a different USB mouse/keyboard?

It's strange problem and not one I've come across. Could just be a dodgy USB device?

Yep thats right it failed to boot with any usb device plugged in i did try all of them with the usb mouse and usb keyboard but it just wouldnt boot so i eventually told the customer to get a ps2 mouse and keyboard as windows worked with the one i bought with me. I wish i had found a solution to the problem incase i encounter it again but i couldnt find any hardware fault with there motherboard as i ran microscope's tools.

it was just plain weird

[Simmy]

Maybe give them a USB PCI card and tell them to avoid using the onboard ones? assuming a new PCI card works, it's the simplest solution.

Do they have an external USB hub or anything? Come to think of it, I've had similar problems with mains powered USB hubs before.

[Andyuk2007]

Originally Posted by Simmy

Maybe give them a USB PCI card and tell them to avoid using the onboard ones? assuming a new PCI card works, it's the simplest solution.

Do they have an external USB hub or anything? Come to think of it, I've had similar problems with mains powered USB hubs before.

Hello simmy, well there going to get a ps2 style interface keyboard and mouse now as its easier but i do wonder why on earth it wouldnt boot when a usb keyboard was inserted hmmm, but not to worry they seem happy i had given them an alternative although i felt kinda guilty billing them as i didnt really fix there problem. Maybe i should refund them i just dunno

[Simmy]

No need to refund them You spent time working on it and found a solution which means they are now able to use the computer.

Have you recently started working for yourself then Andy?